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Auburn police report declines in call volume, expand camera, forensics and community programs
Summary
Police chief reported an almost 10% drop in call volume, described use of Flock cameras and a NIBIN shell‑casing machine, noted regional coordination and announced funding for 10 additional officers.
Auburn Police Chief Mark Carey described recent crime trends, new technology investments and regional coordination intended to reduce violent and property crime.
Chief Carey said the department’s preliminary, unrefined figures show "our call volume went down last year almost 10%." He reported declines across many crime categories compared with recent years while noting the city still experienced a homicide last year and that long‑term trends are the preferred metric for evaluating public-safety progress.
Carey highlighted new equipment and investigative tools: a first tranche of about 20 Flock automated license‑plate‑reading cameras installed last year that the chief said helped solve serious crimes and recover stolen vehicles, with council approval for an additional 20 cameras this year to expand coverage. He also described a regional grant to procure a NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network) shell‑casing imaging system—he said the grant was for more than $200,000—and said the machine will be available regionally to match shell casings from shootings.
The chief discussed regional case work, interagency tasking and collaboration with county prosecutors, noting efforts to influence charging and bail practices for firearm cases. He said the department partnered with King County’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention to distribute more than 500 gun‑lock boxes on Veterans Day to reduce theft of firearms.
On staffing, Carey thanked the council for providing funding to add 10 full‑time officers to Auburn’s establishment and said the department is recruiting; he cautioned that hiring and training take time before new officers can be fully deployed. He also asked residents to remain engaged with election processes for judges and prosecutors, saying community input matters where courts and prosecutors set release and charging practices beyond police control.
Commander Adams and Officer Aaron Williams later described the Block Watch program and practical steps for residents to form neighborhood watches and receive Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) assessments.
